Boeing recently invested a further $450 million in the aeronautical startup Wisk Aero, for the development of autonomous electric aircraft intended for transporting passengers in urban contexts. Wisk, a joint venture between Boeing and Kitty Hawk Corporation (founded by Google's Sebastian Thrun and Larry Page), was created in 2019. In 2021, Wisk signed an agreement to operate air taxis in the United States.
This investment highlights the growing interest in self-flying aircraft, with Boeing entering a rapidly expanding market of aviation startups. Gary Gysin, CEO of Wisk, highlighted the importance of security and financing as a catalyst for growth and focus on the company's core business.
Despite Wisk's ambition to operate 14 million flights per year, it has not yet been specified when these aircraft will be ready for launch. Wisk's sixth-generation eVTOL aircraft could be the first to achieve certification in the United States as an autonomous, all-electric passenger aircraft.
Marc Allen, Boeing's Chief Strategy Officer, highlighted autonomy as a key element for success in the AAM (Advanced Air Mobility) sector, which includes both passenger and cargo applications. However, one of the main challenges for Wisk and competitors such as Airbus and Embraer remains obtaining production certification.
